Larson makes history, Spuds three-peat at State

Post date: Apr 21, 2018 5:54:30 AM

Senior Izzy Larson etched her name in the record books after a perfect postseason performance, culminating in a third straight State gold medal, as the Moorhead Spuds edged Lakeville North for their third consecutive MSHSL State team championship. Larson went straight ones through subsections, sections, and state, en route to a title in Poetry. Larson becomes the first Spud to earn four state medals and just the fifth speaker in state history to win three State Class AA championships, the first to achieve the feat since 2005. Junior Kaden Moszer earned the other gold medal for Moorhead, taking top honors in Drama for his first state medal. Roseville and Apple Valley also earned two gold medals apiece. In all, 14 Spuds earned medals, the most of any school at this year's tournament.

Five Spuds earned their second straight medal at the state tournament, including seniors Luke Seidel (2nd, Prose), Bridget McManamon (5th, Ex. Speaking), and Ariana Grollman (2nd, Humor), and juniors Katherine Leiseth (6th, Ex. Reading), and Sophia Klindt (5th, Humor). Seven others made their first trip to the state final round. They include juniors Neva Miller (5th, Great Speeches), Margaret Dickey (5th, Prose), Alex Seigel (6th, Storytelling) and Dylan Stage (7th, Drama), and sophomore Claire Stoltenow (8th, Ex. Speaking) and first-year speakers Greta Almlie & Stella Mehlhoff (7th, Duo).

Moorhead now moves into sole possession of third place all-time in medals earned at state with 198. Apple Valley continues to lead all schools with 399. The Spuds also move into an 8th place tie with Eastview in all-time gold medals won by a team with 23. Apple Valley leads all schools with 88.

The Spuds have now won at least one gold medal at each of the last six state tournaments and have placed at least one speaker in finals for 24 straight years.

A full list of state qualifiers and placements is below.

While the 2018 season comes to an end in Minnesota, seven Spuds will continue competition in next month's NIETOC, held May 11-13 in Denver, CO. Seniors Lance Morlock (Oratory), Luke Seidel (Drama, Duo), Ariana Grollman (Humor), and Bridget McManamon (Oratory), and juniors Dylan Stage (Drama), Sophia Klindt (Humor, Duo) and Margaret Dickey (Drama) are scheduled to compete.

All NIETOC speakers, as well as Izzy Larson (POI), juniors Meghan Johnson (Oratory), Alyssa Haagenson (POI), and Anna Larson (Inform), and sophomore Claire Stoltenow (Ex. Speaking), as well as Public Forum Debaters Joey Dispirito & Simon Beach, and Jack Entzion & Tate Gilbertson will compete at the NSDA National Tournament in Ft. Lauderdale, FL in June.

2018 MSHSL State Results:

Creative:

Ian Bahe

Discussion:

Sydney Anderson

Drama:

Kaden Moszer - 1st

Dylan Stage - 7th

Jennie Hastings

Duo:

Greta Almlie & Stella Mehlhoff - 7th

Cassidy Wendt & Jonah Hanson

Ex. Reading:

Katherine Leiseth - 6th

Chelsea Bubbers

Ex. Speaking:

Bridget McManamon - 5th

Claire Stoltenow - 8th

Emma Pranger

Great Speeches:

Neva Miller - 5th

Molly Hauf

Humor:

Ariana Grollman - 2nd

Sophia Klindt - 5th

Inform:

Anna Larson

Anni Yoney

Grace Halvorson

Oratory:

Meghan Johnson

Jack Entzion

Poetry:

Izzy Larson - 1st

Amelia Bjorklund

Prose:

Luke Seidel - 2nd

Margaret Dickey - 5th

Storytelling:

Alex Seigel - 6th

Ali Astrup